Assessing the Implications of the Landing Obligation on MSC Certified Fisheries in Europe

The discard ban (or Landing Obligation) aims to reduce discards in European fisheries and ensure all catches are counted, but since it began phasing-in, evidence suggests continued discarding and a decline in the quality of catch data. What does this introduction of illegality into the supply chain mean for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries? This report reviews 25 MSC certified fisheries and the risk to their certification from failure to implement the Landing Obligation.